§ Mr. Beaumont-Darkasked the Secretary of State for Industry if he will make a statement on the outcome of the European Community Research Council on 8 March.
§ Mr. WakehamThe Research Council met on 8 March 1982. I represented Her Majesty's Government and my hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State for Energy was also present for the discussion of the proposed fusion research programme.
The Council reached agreement in principle on the Commission's proposal for a new fusion research programme which will continue the Community's activities in this field until 1986. My hon. Friend will be presenting details of this agreement to the House.
The Council also reached agreement in principle on a new research programme in the field of raw materials. The programme aims to help the Community to make more effective use of its indigenous resources. Under the programme, which will cost 54 Mecu—£30 million—the Community will sponsor research into the exploration for metals and mineral substances, ore processing, and mining technology, research concerned with the use of ceramics and clay-based materials, research concerned with wood as a renewable material, and research into the recycling of non-ferrous metals, and research concerned with the substitution of materials. The work will be carried out by research institutions in the member States.
The Council continued the general discussion about the evolution of its research and development policy which was begun at the previous meeting of the Research Council in November 1981. Ministers examined suggestions by the Commission for improving the effectiveness of Community support for research and development but no firm conclusions were reached and the Council will return to this matter later in the year when it will have before it further suggestions from the Commission.